Coronation Street's longest-serving actor William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, was made an MBE by the Queen on Tuesday.

Roache, 69, who was honoured for services to TV drama, is the sole surviving member of the original cast which began the soap series in December 1960.

This mammoth stint has won him a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest-serving actor in a television serial.

Roache joins other Street personalities who have been honoured, including actresses Violet Carson, Doris Speed, and Betty Driver, as well as the show's creator, Tony Warren.

William Roache with wife Sara Mottram before receiving his MBE

The series' longevity and influence earned it a Bafta special award this year.

During his record-breaking time on the hit soap, Roache's character has led an incident-packed life.

Busy

Ken went to university and over the past four decades has gone through a selection of jobs from lecturer, taxi driver to small-time newspaper magnate.

His love life has been busy, too.

Ken's on and off relationship with former wife Deirdre, played by Anne Kirkbride, has been a long-running feature of the soap.

I don't confuse soap with reality - I don't, others do.

William Roache MBE

He has also had affairs with the Street's Alma Baldwin, played by Amanda Barrie, and Denise Osbourne, played by Denise Black.

Speaking to reporters outside Buckingham Palace after the ceremony, he talked of his sadness at having to rush back to Granada Television's studios in Manchester to film the death scene of Alma Baldwin.